Deputies shoot at north Harris Co. burglary suspect

Update: Authorities now say the shooting off Cypress Island Drive was related to a burglary. A woman saw a man breaking into a neighbor’s home when she called authorities. When officials arrived on the scene, the man was fleeing the home with a pillow case filled with stolen items and a handgun taken from the home, according to Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman.

Hickman said the suspect pointed the gun at officers when they fired. The owner of the gun told authorities later that it was not loaded. Authorities later called off the search for the man.

Earlier: A Harris County deputy constable was involved in a shootout with man outside a home in north Harris County late Tuesday morning, but officials said no one was injured.

Investigators said the gunfire happened about 11:40 a.m. outside the home in the 2400 block off Cypress Island Drive near Aldine Westfield, according to Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman.

Hickman said deputy constables were dispatched to the home on an emergency call about a disturbance in Cypress Terrace. Officials said a woman called police asking for help. It was unclear what the emergency was or the nature of the relationship between the man and the woman.

When a deputy arrived, a man came outside the home carrying a handgun. At some point, authorities say there was a confrontation and deputies fired at least once. It’s unclear if the man fired his weapon. Several shell casings were found at the scene, Hickman said.

The man ran away, fleeing to a wooded area adjacent to the 300-acre Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, officials said. Police did not release a description of the man but said they know his identity.

Investigators are trying to determine what led to the shooting. Authorities have blocked the entrance to the subdivision, and have dispatched a helicopter to search the area.